My ipad is odark and unreponsive, as.if it is turned.off.

Does it need charging?

Try this: Hold down the Home button and the on/off switch at the same time for about 45 seconds, or till the iPad comes on, whichever comes first.

My iPad 1 seemed to go dead like yours once about 1.5 years ago and hasn't had a prob since. It was working fine, was well charged, but the screen went black and the iPad seemed totally unresponsive. I did the above step and it restarted and functioned again as if nothing had happened. Hope your experience is similar.

no the following post fixed the problem

This fixed the problem! I hope that the fix is permanent. I don't think I could live without my IPAD. Do you know how to back up the info (especially in notes, contacts, and the calendar (appointments)?